Guard



March 27, 1934. H. L. HUNTER GUARD Filed Jan. 9. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l wu u n l u l l n 1 1 l n v m u l u 1 l l 1 n 1 27,1934. H. L. HUNTERGUARD Filed Jan. 9, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @lf Imfem Mardn 27, 1934. H.L.. HUNTER GUARD Filed Jan. 9, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QM L .fifa/aai.

Patented Mar. 207, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in guards and particularly to animproved holder or container for retaining securely spectacles orsimilar fragile articles suspended within a shipping carton.

An object of the invention is to provide an insert for a shipping cartonwith improved means to hold securely a fragile article such as, forexample, spectacles, in a novel manner to prevent breakage.

Another object is to provide an insert or guard of the characterreferred to with means to receive readily, a pair of spectacles andretain said spectacles therein.

Another object is to provide a container with a spectacle guard of thecharacter referred to and improved means to retain said guard,removably, midway between the opposed walls thereof. Another object isto provide a spectacle guard 2G of the character referred to which iseasy to place within or remove from a container, satisfactory in use,and inexpensive to manufacture.

The foregoing and such other objects of the invention as will appearhereinafter as the description proceeds, will be more readily understoodfrom a perusal of the following specication, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings,

in which: v

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a shipping cartonwith parts brokenaway, having the improved spectacle guard therein.

Fig.2 is a transverse vertical sectional View through the improved guardand container.

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the improved guard shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3, showing modified structures.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showinga different arrangement of guards within a carton.

Figs. l to 15, inclusive, are views similar to Fig. 3 showing modifiedforms of guards.

Figs. 16 to 19, inclusive, are plan views of guards illustrating furthermodified structures.

Figs. 20 to 23, inclusive, are perspective views of guards embodyingother modifications in structure.

Fig. 24 is a perspective View, partly in section, illustrating amodified form of carton adapted to receive one or more of the improvedguards.

Fig. 25 is a perspective View of another shipping carton shown partiallydisassembled.

Fig. 26 is a transverse vertical sectionall view of another form ofshipping carton.

(Cl. 20G-65) Fig. 27 is a plan View of a portion of a shipping cartonembodying a modied structure. y

Commonly, spectacles are packed for shipment by covering them with asuitable wrapping and then placing the whole in a cardboard container.The container then is placed in another or outside container or cartonof larger size. This method of packing does not safe-guard thespectacles which are very fragile and easily become bent or distorted tothe extent of making them useless to the recipient. No amount ofpacking, when cardboard containers are used, has heretofore overcomethis danger. The improved guard is designed to eliminate the danger ofbreakage by holding the spectacles suspended between the opposed wallsof the container, which preferably is double walled to insure rigidity.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the improved guard preferablyconsists of a substantially rectangular sheet of heavy material 11 suchas, for example, cardboard, having a centrally located opening 12. Slots13 are provided one on each side of the opening 12 which diverge fromeach other and extend inwardly preferably from one longitudinal edge ofthe sheet 11. The edges of each slot preferably are non-parallel topresent a relatively wide opening at the edge of the sheet for a purposewhich will become apparent as the description proceeds. Spaced one oneach side of the opening 12, inwardly of slots 13, are flaps 14 whichare spaced from` and extend inwardly from the opposite longitudinal edgeof the sheet.

Spectacles 15 (Fig. l) are inserted with their lens 16 beneath the flaps14 and the bows thereof extend through the respective slots 13 and arefolded against the under side of the sheet 11. The nose portions 18 ofthe spectacles yare adapted to project through the opening 12 to retainremovably the spectacles in the guard by abutment with the edge of saidopening. A covering or wrapper 19, preferably of cellophane .ir similartransparent material attached to the sheet 11 along one edge, isarranged over the spectacles to further insure their retention in the100 guard.

After the spectacles are mounted on the guard and the wrapper 19 isarranged therearound, the guard is placed within a container or carton21.

As shown, an insert 22 in the container provides 105 a shoulder tosupport the guard around its marginal edges. The cover 20 also has aninsert 23 providing another shoulder to bear against the upper side ofthe marginal edges of the guard sheet 11. The insert 23 preferably isseparate 110 of the cover 20 and is arranged over the guard prior to theplacing of the cover thereon.

It will be noted that all the walls of the shipping carton are doubleand the carton when assembled insures rigid suspension of the spectacleguard midway between its top and the bottom. There is no possibility ofthe spectacles becoming disengaged from the guard even when the wrapper19 is dispensed with. The guard sheet 11 although of heavy cardboardretains a limited amount of resiliency to absorb shocks and jars.

The guard sheet 11u shown in Fig. 4 is substantially like the guardsheet 11, however, in this structure the edges of the slots 13a are cutaway at the edge of the sheet, as at 24, to facilitate mounting of thespectacles thereon, the wide entrance to the slots readily admitting thespectacle bows.

In the guard sheet 11b shown in Fig. 5, a flap 25 having diverging edges26 is provided to receive the spectacles thereover, the bows thereofbeing inserted therebeneath through the slits dening the edges 26 ofsaid flap. Lips 27, similar to flaps 14, are provided in the flap 25 tooverlie the lens portion of the spectacles. If desired cut-outs 31 maybe provided on the edges of the sheet to facilitate its removal from thecarton.

The shipping container illustrated in Fig. 6 is like the containerpreviously described but, as shown, is adapted to contain a plurality ofpairs of spectacles. lIhe bottom 21o of the container has, as before, aninsert 22a upon which a spectacle guard 28 is arranged. 1n thisinstance, it is preferable that the guard 28 have a marginal flange 29preferably extending upwardly there-- around which, when extendingupwardly as shown, receives on its edge a guard 11 embodying any of theother structures illustrated. rIhe upper insert 23e is arranged over theguard 11 and the cover 20c holds the assembly together. It is to beunderstood that the guard 28 need not be used and a separate continuousband or spacer provided to hold the superimposed guard sheets apart.

The guard sheet 11d, shown in Fig. '2, has slots 32 preferably arcuate,as shown, one extending inwardly from each edge of the sheet on eachside or" the centrally located opening. The spectacle bows 17 areinserted through the slots and the spectacles are swung over the sheetto clear flaps 14d and then swung back to dispose the lens 16 thereofbeneath the aps.

In Fig. 8 the guard shown has the naps 14e arranged to engage over thespectacles upon insertion of the bows into the slots 32e.

The guard 111 shown in Fig. 9 has a centrally located opening 12]c andopposed longitudinal slots 33 communicating therewith which terminate indiverging bow slots 34. A passage 35 connecting the slots 33 with theedge of the sheet admits the bows (not shown) into slots 33 whereuponsaid bows are moved one to each end 34. Flaps 141 engage over thespectacles and retain them on the guard.

The guard sheet 11g shown in Fig. 10 has lips 40 toI receive thespectacle bows and, while mounting, the spectacles are moved toward theconnected end of the lips until the lens are free to engage under flaps14g upon being moved in the opposite direction.

The lateral slots 36 in the guard 11h shown in Fig. 11 are adapted toreceive the spectacle bows and a rotatable keeper 37, which engages overthe spectacle bridge 38, retains the spectacles on the guard.

As shown in Fig. 12', the spectacle bows are inserted into the open endof a longitudinal slot 39 in guard 115i and the spectacles are movedlongitudinally until flaps 14j engage over one lens. One or more movablekeepers 377l are provided to engage over the other lens to hold thespectacles in place.

The guard 11k shown in Fig. 13 comprises two like sections 41 and 42each having complemental recesses on their abutting edges providingopenings 12lc and 43. Flaps 14k are provided on each section to engageover the spectacle lens. The sections 41 and 42 may be separate but,preferably are hingedly connected at one end as at 44.

As illustrated in Fig. 14 the guard 11m has a transverse slot 45adjacent one end to receive the spectacle bows and a longitudinal slot46 cornmunicating therewith, whereby one or the bows may be moved to theopposed end of the guard. Keepers 37m engage over the spectacles to holdthem in place.

The spectacle guard 11n shown in Fig. 15, has a longitudinal slot 47communicating with a cen'- trally located opening 121i through which thebows are inserted and moved toward each end of the slot. The ends of theslot preferably are curved to provide recesses 4S for receiving the bowsand flaps 14n retain the spectacles on the guard.

The guard 11o shown in Fig. 16 is adapted to receive the spectacles facedown, and suitable tying cords 49 a'id 51, secured at one end to theguard sheet, are wrapped around the spectacle lens 16 and the bridge 38,respectively. Slots 52 preferably are provided in the guard sheet toadadmit the tying cords into close engagement with the spectacles.

As illustrated in Fig. 17 suitable tying cords 53 are provided adjacenteach end of the spectacle guard sheet 11p which are adapted to bewrapped about the bow mountings. If desired elastic cords may be used.

Fig. 18 shows a guard sheet llq having a slot 54 in each end to receivethe spectacle bows, and a tying cord 51g Vat its center adapted to bewrapped around the spectacle bridge 38 to prevent displacement of thespectacles.

The guard 111 illustrated in Fig. 19, has flaps 141- therein to receivetherebeneath the spectacle lens 16. With this structure the spectaclesare held securely when the guard is in place between the opposedshoulders of the carton, said shoulders holding the free end of theflaps in the plane or" the guard sheet.

The guard sheet 11s, shown in perspective in Fig. 20, has itslongitudinal edges 55 folded over the spectacle lens and a tying cord51s, which preferably is wrapped about the nose portions 18, preventslongitudinal shifting of the spectacles.

Fig. 21 shows a guard sheet llt similar to that shown in Fig. 20,however, the folded marginal edges 5575 of the sheet are cut out at 56to receive the nose portion 18 and prevent shifting of the spectacleslongitudinally.

In the guard sheet 11u, shown in Fig. 22, the marginal end portions 57are folded inwardly to overlie the spectacles. In this structure themarginal end portions preferably are cut out as at 58 and 59 to receivetherethrough the nose portions and the bows of the spectacles (notshown).

The guard 1117, Fig. 23, consists of spaced walls 1 and 62 connected atone edge, between which the spectacles are inserted. An opening 1221 inone wall receives the nose portions of the spectacles and slots 54o insaid Wall receive the bows 17.

The shipping carton iIlustratedin Fig'. 24, preferably hasY spacedvertical guides on `each end wall to receive therein spectacleguards 11.As shown, suitable spacers 63' are provided on the bottom wall of thecarton midway between the ends to `receive theV guards therebetweenwhereby said guards are supported intermediate their ends. The top- (notshown) also has similar spacers' to support the upper edge of-theguards.

Fig. 25 shows a shipping.' container including a box 64, which containsthe spectacles and guard, anda sleeve like member 65 adapted to be ttedover the box. Suitabley openings 66 are provided inY the'member 65 toexpose the mailing and return address contained on a slip 67 insertedtherebeneath.

The container shown in Fig, 26 is' similar t that illustrated in Fig.2,however inthis instance, the bottom 68 is shallow to provide, with itsupper edge, a shoulder upon which the spectacle guard 11 rests. Thecover 20g telescopes` over the bottom'68 andthe insert 23g holds theguard in place.

Fig. 27 shows one portion of a carton of the type illustrated in Figs.2, 6, and 26, the insert 22s thereof being oifset as at 69 intermediateits-ends to provide additional support for the spectacle guard when thelatter is placed thereon.

Although exemplary forms of the improved guard and shipping carton havebeen shown in theaccompanying drawings and described in the foregoingspecification in detail, it is te be understood'that the structures mayvary in detail without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1 A device adapted to hold spectacles suspended within a mailing carton,consisting of a rectangular sheet of material having a central openingof such a size and formto receive the nose portions of the spectacles,slots extending inwardly from one longitudinal edge of said sheet awayfrom each other one on either side of said opening, the edges of saidslots diverging toward their open end, and retaining flaps in said sheetone on each side of the central opening inwardly of said slots.

2. A device adapted to hold spectacles rigidly suspended in a mailingcarton, consisting of a rectangular sheet of material having a centralopening of such size and form to receive the nose portions of thespectacle, slots extending inwardly from one longitudinal edge of saidsheet away from each other one on either side of said opening, the edgesof said slots diverging toward their open end, and retaining aps formedin said sheet one on each side of the central opening inwardly of saidslots, said flaps being disposed toward the slotted edge of said sheet.

3. An article of manufacture adapted to hold spectacles rigidlysuspended in a container consisting of a substantially rectangular sheetof heavy material having a central opening of such size and form toreceive the nose portions of said spectacles and diverging slottedopenings one on each side of said central opening extending inwardlyfrom one longitudinal edge, of said sheet, and flaps formed in saidsheet one on each side of the central opening inwardly of said slots.

4. An article of manufacture adapted to hold spactacles rigidlysuspended in a container consisting of a substantially rectangular sheetof stiff material having a large flap of irregular outline thereon, acentrally located opening in said iiap, said opening being of such sizeand form to receive the nose portions of said spectacles, lips one oneach side of saidi central opening in said flap adapted to receive thelens portions of saidy spectacles therebeneath, said lips' and saidflap'being disposed toward the samek longitudinal edge of said sheet.

, 5. An article of manufacture adapted to hold spectacles consisting ofa substantially rectangular sheet of material, said sheet having acentral opening of such size to receive the nose portions of saidspectacles and slots one on each side of said opening to receive thebows of said spectacles, and retaining naps in said sheet one on eachside of the opening inwardly of said slots adapted to overlie the lens`portions of said spectacles.

6. A device adapted to hold spectacles suspended within a mailingcarton, comprising, in combination, a rectangular sheet of materialhaving a central opening of such size and form to receive the noseportionsv of the spectacles, slots extending inwardly from onelongitudinal edgeV of said sheet. away from each other one on eitherside of said opening, the edges of said slots being out away at theiropen end to present a wide mouth to facilitate mountingv of saidspectacles on the sheet, and retaining iiaps in said sheet adapted tooverlie and retain said spectacles on said sheet.

7. A spectacle. shipping guard consisting ofa substantially rectangularsheet of material' having an opening of such size to receive the noseportions of spectacles mounted thereon, slotted openings in said sheetone on each side of said opening adapted to receive the spectacle bows,`and naps on said sheet adapted to engage over and retain said spectacleson said sheet.

8.- A spectacle shipping guard consisting of a substantially rectangularsheet of material having a'central opening of such size to receive thenose portions of spectacles arranged thereon, slotsr adapted to receivethe spectacle bows extending inwardly from opposed edges of said sheetone on each side of said opening, and flaps on said sheet adapted toco-operate with said opening and said slots to retain said spectacles onsaid sheet.

9. A spectacle guard comprising, in combination, a sheet of materialhaving a centrally located opening of such size and shape to receive thenose portions of spectacles mounted thereon, slots adapted to receivethe spectacle bows there-l through, one on each side thereof, said slotsopening on one edge of said sheet, and a plurality of iiaps in saidsheet adapted to overlie said spectacles and retain them in place onsaid sheet.

l0. A shipping guard for spectacles comprising, in combination, spacedwalls connected along one edge, one of said walls having a centrallylocated opening therein of such size and form to receive the noseportions of said spectacles therethrough when the latter are insertedbetween said walls, slots on said wall one extending inwardly from eachend adapted to receive the bows of said spectacles whereby said bows mayoverlie said wall, and a tying cord on said guard to retain said bows inplace and prevent displacement of the spectacles.

l1. A shipping guard for spectacles comprising, in combination, a sheetof material providing a supporting wall having a centrally locatedopening therein of suoli size and shape to receive the nose portions onsaid spectacles, means in said sheet (3o-operating with the spectaclebows to facilitate retention of the spectacles on said supporting wall.

12. A device adapted to hold spectacles suspended within a mailingcarton, comprising, in

CII

combination, a sheet of material having an opening of such size andshape to receive the nose portions of the spectacles, slots to receivethe spectacle bows extending inwardly from one edge of said sheet one oneither side of said opening, the slots being wider at their open end tofacilitate mounting of said spectacles on the sheet, and means on saidsheet adapted to overlie and retain said spectacles on said sheet.

13. A spectacle guard comprising, in combination, a sheet of materialhaving an opening of such size and shape to receive the nose portions ofthe spectacles, slots one on each side of said opening extendinginwardly from one edge of said sheet, said slots having a widened openend to facilitate insertion of the spectacle bows therein, and meansformed in said sheet to retain the spectacles thereon.

le. A device adapted to hold spectacles suspended within a mailingcarton, comprising, in combination, a rectangular sheet of materialhaving a central opening of such size and form to receive the noseportions of the spectacles, slots extending inwardly from onelongitudinal edge of said sheet away from each other one on either sideof said opening, the edges of said slots diverging toward their open endto facilitate insertion of the spectacle bows therethrough, andretaining aps in said sheet adapted to overlie and retain saidspectacles on said sheet.

l5. A spectacle guard consisting of a sheet of material having anopening of such size and shape to receive the nose portions of thespectacles, slots adapted to receive the spectacle bows thereinextending inwardly from opposed edges of said sheet one on each side ofsaid opening, and flaps on said sheet adapted to co-operate With saidopening and said slots to retain the spectacles on the sheet.

16. A spectacle guard consisting ofe a sheet of material havinganopening therein of such size and shape to receive the nose portions ofthe spectacles and slots to receive the spectacle bows one on each sideof said opening extending inwardly from opposite edges of said sheet,and means on said sheet adapted to retain, in cooperation with saidopening and said slots, said spectacles on said sheet.

17. A spectacle guard consisting of a sheet of material having asubstantially centrally located opening of such size and shape toreceive the nose portions of the spectacles, arcuate slots adapted toreceive the spectacle bows extending inwardly from opposed edges of saidsheet, one on each side of said opening, and means on said sheet adaptedto retain, in co-operation with said opening and said slots, saidspectacles on said sheet.

18. A shipping guard for spectacles comprising, in combination, spacedwalls, one of said Walls having a centrally located opening therein ofsuch size and shape to receive the nose portions of said spectaclestherethrough when the latter are inserted between said walls, slots onsaid wall one extending inwardly from each end adapted to receive thebows of said spectacles, and means on said guard to retain said bows inplace and prevent displacement of the spectacles.

19. A shipping guard for spectacles comprising, in combination, spacedwalls, one of said walls having a centrally located opening therein ofsuch size and shape to receive the nose portions of said spectaclestherethrough when the latter are positioned against said wall, slots insaid wall adapted to receive the bows of said spectacles, and means onsaid guard to prevent displacement of the spectacles.

HUGH L. HUNTER.

